NBA Draft will show us if the Pacers are in win-now mode

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Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) holds his arms up toward the crowd that chanted "MVP" several times through the game, as overtime action winds down between the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets at Banker's Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017. The Pacers won in overtime, 123-119.
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Lance Stephenson of Indiana yells and fires up the crowd after his play forced a Denver turnover as Gary Harris watches, Denver Nuggets at Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. Indiana won 126-116 in overtime.
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Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) celebrates hitting a three point shot in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Friday, Nov 17, 2017. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Detroit Pistons 107-100.
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Indiana Pacers guard Darren Collison (2) looks for a way to steal the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jose Calderon (81) during the first half of Game 6 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, April 27, 2018.
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The Indiana Pacers celebrates a three-point shot made by Victor Oladipo in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Friday, Nov 17, 2017. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Detroit Pistons 107-100.
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Pacemate Leslie Ann L. watches an upside-down Boomer dance during a timeout in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday, December 18, 2017. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-111.
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Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) celebrates with Bojan Bogdanovic (44) in the in the fourth quarter of game #3 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff game on Friday April 20, 2018. The Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-90.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to fouling Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the second half of Game 6 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, April 27, 2018.
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Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) is fouled as he shoots around Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Tuesday, December 18, 2017. The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-111.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) calls timeout after a brief ball scramble with Indiana Pacers Myles Turner (33) and Thaddeus Young (21) during the second half of Game 4 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 22, 2018. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers 104-100.
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INDIANAPOLIS – A window into what the Pacers are thinking as they approach the NBA Draft suggests they’re looking for a versatile shooter with size.

Then again, almost every other team outside of the lottery, which will be determined tonight, is seeking that very piece. Shooters are at a premium in the league. A shooter with size opens up even more possibilities and there can never be too many of them.

“I really think it’s heavy with elite players. In the top four or five there could be elite players,” Pacers president Kevin Pritchard said of the June 21 draft. “Then it bounces down to some guys who could be rotational players. There’s some point guards, a few wings there could be a spread four, a hybrid four that we’re looking at. There are some players that we like. I’m not worried about the position. We want to get the best player.”

It starts with the plan. If the Pacers are intent on making a move immediately to be one of the elite teams in the East, where the Cleveland Cavaliers (as long as LeBron James stays), Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers sit, then it goes beyond the draft.

That would require seasoned and proven players who come via trade or free agency. With the Nos. 23 and 50 picks, those are likely projects who’ll take time to develop and not deliver immediate results.

With T.J. Leaf entering the second year of his scale contract, they don’t really have room to keep Joe Young (non-guaranteed, team option), Alex Poythress (non-guaranteed) and Ike Anigbogu (partial guarantee), and two more rookies to develop if the goal is to win big now.

CLOSE

IndyStar's J. Michael and Gregg Doyel wrap up the Indiana Pacers' Game 7 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and what it means for next season.
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The Pacers would have to part with some of their current youth or, if they're happy with where those players are, entertain other options. Those 2018 picks can be attractive for teams who need to get younger, need salary cap relief and are willing to part with a veteran in a potential deal with Indiana. There's also the chance to package those picks and move up for a better shot at one impact player, or move down to collect a pick(s) for future considerations.

Good players can be found late in the first round. Kyle Kuzma (16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds) was acquired by the L.A. Lakers after being chosen 27th, Jarrett Allen (8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds) went 22nd to the Brooklyn Nets and Josh Hart (7.9 points, 4.2 rebounds) joined the Lakers after being taken 30th.

Leaf, the 18th pick, only played 53 games and averaged 2.9 points. That's not necessarily an indictment of him, however, as he was on a No. 5 seed playoff team loaded with veterans. The playing time wasn't there for him while Kuzma, Allen and Hart had brighter moments playing in losing situations, which allows them to learn on the job while their coaches aren't facing playoffs-or-bust expectations from management.

The Lakers and Nets made progress because of these rookies, but those teams also weren't loaded with quality veterans such as Thad Young, Darren Collison, Lance Stephenson and Bojan Bogdanovic.

This is why some rookies may post attractive statistics early in their careers but don't when placed in winning situations, or they find it more difficult to shine around better teammates.

Leaf could end up on a similar path as Otto Porter, who averaged 2.1 and 6.0 points, respectively, in his first two seasons with the Washington Wizards. The No. 3 overall pick in 2013 was on a playoff team behind Trevor Ariza and Paul Pierce, and had to earn the starting spot. He eventually signed a $106 million deal after developing into one of the league's best 3-point shooters.

Or, Leaf could just be a piece who comes off the bench to contribute occasionally. That's what teams expect late in the first round of the draft. If that player blossoms into the next Rudy Gobert (27th) or Clint Capela (25th), that's a bonus.

"We've had young guys we had to develop," coach Nate McMillan said of how he approached what became a 48-win season. "If you play the game the right way, you play the game together ... you’ll give yourself an opportunity to win games."

What the Pacers do come the draft, a few weeks before free agency opens, should give an indication of where they might be heading.